New Haven mayor to tout successes in State of City address

Borrowing a theme from former Gov. Mitch Daniels, New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald today was expected to proclaim that one word describes his city’s recent successes and future aspirations: Certainty.

“ ‘Certainty’ fits,” McDonald said in a draft of his annual State of the City speech to be delivered today, referring to a speech he heard Daniels give to business and government leaders last year. “We have assurance, confidence, conviction, positiveness and sureness – all synonyms of certainty . . . This is New Haven’s time!”

That optimism, he said, is justified by recent economic development successes highlighted by a proposed $25 million FedEx Ground distribution center and other developments expected in the new “Gateway Park” development at Minnich Road and Indiana 930. And that news, first reported by The News-Sentinel last week, followed investments by other companies, including CDT, Pampered Coach, and a new Pilot-Flying J truck plaza.

And with the recent extension of Maplecrest Road across the Maumee River to Adams Center Road, Adams Center is also poised for growth, McDonald predicted. In fact, he noted, Truck Maintenance Co. is already building a new facility there.

Improvements to the city’s infrastructure are also planned and will continue to spur economic activity, McDonald said.

Ryan Road will be upgraded between U.S. 30 and U.S. 24, Moeller Road will be improved and Landin Road is also scheduled for improvements between North River and Maysville roads. Improvements to sidewalks and the River Greenway are also planned.

In addition, McDonald said, New Haven continues to upgrade its sewer and water services, including service to the new New Haven Commercial Park.

New Haven also enjoys its best credit rating ever, its largest cash balance in 10 years and a health rainy day fund, he said.

All of this and more has been done, he added, despite a $1.1 million drop in property tax receipts since 2009 and a 49 percent decrease in local income taxes.

“New Haven is a great place and with certainty, we are only getting better,” he concluded.